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Easier Movement, Happier Horses

Health & Wellness Podcasts

Do you want to create a life with horses that nourishes body, mind and spirit? Do you value self-awareness, curiosity and kindness? You’re in the right place! In this podcast, we’ll cover an array of connected topics. We’ll discuss how to improve body awareness, flexibility and balance for both you and your horse. We’ll explore how anxiety and tension affect horses and humans, and what you can do to promote relaxation and confidence. Since your thoughts affect not only you, but your horse as well, we’ll delve into emotional awareness, mindset and how to develop your intuition. All these topics can deepen your connection with your horse. And we know that a strong human-equine connection not only improves your body and mind, but it can nurture your spirit as well. So please join Feldenkrais® teacher, international clinician and bestselling author Mary Debono each Thursday as she helps you enhance your movement, mindset and connection with horses.

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Location:

United States

Description:

Do you want to create a life with horses that nourishes body, mind and spirit? Do you value self-awareness, curiosity and kindness? You’re in the right place! In this podcast, we’ll cover an array of connected topics. We’ll discuss how to improve body awareness, flexibility and balance for both you and your horse. We’ll explore how anxiety and tension affect horses and humans, and what you can do to promote relaxation and confidence. Since your thoughts affect not only you, but your horse as well, we’ll delve into emotional awareness, mindset and how to develop your intuition. All these topics can deepen your connection with your horse. And we know that a strong human-equine connection not only improves your body and mind, but it can nurture your spirit as well. So please join Feldenkrais® teacher, international clinician and bestselling author Mary Debono each Thursday as she helps you enhance your movement, mindset and connection with horses.

Language:

English

Contact:

760-815-1173

Episodes

Secrets to Moving Effortlessly at Any Age

3/16/2023
Let's talk about how you - and your horse - can effortlessly improve your movement and well-being. Despite aging, injuries or even limiting beliefs! Here's what you can learn in this episode: 1. Keeping Mobility, Flexibility, Balance and Confidence Despite Aginng or Injury (or both!) Tips to Help (00:00 - 05:58) 2. Embracing Biological Optimism: Compounding Benefits of Attention and Movement (05:58 - 12:12) 3. Embracing Biological Optimism and Improving Despite Age and Injury (12:12 -...

Duration:00:26:41

Connection, Not Correction: The Key to Improvement for You and Your Horse

2/23/2023
Let's talk about how you can effortlessly improve your movement. And your horse's performance. Many of us force ourselves into a straighter posture and endure uncomfortable stretches in an attempt to improve our position and flexibility. And we use that same mindset with our horses. We use our seat, legs, hands and voice to "get" a horse to bend through a corner, pick up the right lead or round their back and engage their hind legs. We're constantly correcting ourselves and our horses! And...

Duration:00:23:01

A Better Way to Improve Shoulder Movement

2/16/2023
This episode will introduce a novel way to improve shoulder movement in you and your horse. And it's all about working with the rib cage! Mary will describe the innovative way she helps humans and horses overcome ligament and tendon injuries and restore free, healthy movement to the shoulders. You'll hear what NOT to do as well. Mary explains why stretching the limb may exacerbate the restriction. Learn why Mary's "Rib Rope" can help horses and humans unlock freer, healthier shoulder...

Duration:00:23:22

Stubborn No More: Unlock Your Horse's Enthusiasm by Matching Movement

2/9/2023
Do you wish your horse was more willing and enthusiastic? Do you ever think of your horse as lazy or stubborn? Do you wish your horse would pay more attention to you? In this episode, Mary gives you tips to use leading as a fun way to connect with your horse and have a more willing, enthusiastic equine partner. Done mindfully, a simple activity, such as leading your horse, can become an exercise that can refine your communication, improve movement and elevate your relationship with your...

Duration:00:21:52

Simple Haltering Changes to Improve the Relationship with Your Horse

2/2/2023
Discover how haltering sets the tone for your interaction with your horse and how simple changes can elevate your equine relationship. You'll hear how mindful haltering can even improve your horse's willingness and athletic performance! In this episode, you'll learn why it's important to pay attention to subtle cues that your horse is giving you that can either strengthen - or weaken - your relationship. With the right approach, basic interactions such as haltering can be used to create a...

Duration:00:19:36

Why You Should Lead Your Horse From the Wrong Side

1/26/2023
In this episode, you’ll learn how horses and humans get stuck in “habit ruts” that contribute to stiffness, soreness and general unhappiness. Mary will explain how to use small changes to your everyday routine to break out of that rut and help you and your horse become more flexible, focused and enthusiastic. You’ll discover how to use novelty and variation to improve balance, confidence and body awareness. Ultimately, you’ll understand that breaking out of your routine not only improves...

Duration:00:25:12

A Common Cause of Back Pain in Horses and Humans

1/19/2023
Understanding and Addressing Back Pain in Horses and Riders Back pain and stiffness is a very common problem for horses and humans alike. And there's often a common reason why your back - or your horse's back - gets stiff and sore. In this podcast episode, I explain what that reason is and how you can prevent back soreness or stiffness in you and your horse. I also include FREE resources to help you prevent or relieve minor back discomfort* and tension in you and your horse*. 💥Want to...

Duration:00:29:18

Dissolve Your Anxiety in Minutes

1/12/2023
I'm sharing a quick, sure-fire way to tame your anxiety. It's a simple, powerful exercise that you can do almost anywhere. And it'll not only reduce your stress and calm your nerves, it'll get you into a more creative, receptive state. That means you'll come up with creative solutions to problems. In addition to feeling happier and more confident, the exercise will help you see challenges in a new way. You'll be able to stop your "worry habit" in its tracks and maximize your joy and...

Duration:00:15:23

Help Your Horse Feel Better About Anything

1/5/2023
Whether you want to improve your horse's athletic performance, confidence or comfort, there's a KEY step that needs to happen. And I'll tell you all about it in this episode. This key step has benefits for you too. It refines your communication, enhances your feel and helps you connect more deeply with your horse. What's really cool is that when you help your horse improve their movement, it opens improvement in other areas as well. Your horse can begin to experience greater ease and...

Duration:00:38:24

Using Everyday Situations to Build Trust with Your Horse

12/29/2022
If your horse expresses displeasure when being groomed, tacked up or blanketed, how do you respond? Do you correct your horse with a verbal "Hey, knock it off!"? Or do you administer a slap? Or do you reassess what you're doing and (gasp!) actually LISTEN to your horse? This episode explores common situations that equestrians encounter with their horses. Horses that wave a hind leg, pin their ears, gnash their teeth or bite when being blanketed, groomed or tacked up. We explore various...

Duration:00:44:40

Movements that Make You Happier and Healthier

12/22/2022
Want to move with greater ease AND feel happier too? You're in luck! Feldenkrais Method movement lessons not only help improve posture, flexibility and balance, but may help you cultivate greater happiness, optimism and wellbeing too. In this episode, Mary explains how doing Feldenkrais movements can help you feel better about yourself AND give you the tools to keep improving each and every year! 💥Want to get expert coaching on putting this into practice?💥 Go to...

Duration:00:16:03

What You Believe About Exercise is Wrong

12/15/2022
You may think that creating strong habits around exercise is a good way to achieve your health and fitness goals. But what if I told you that your exercise habits could be increasing your risk of strain, stiffness and plain old boredom? In this episode, I'll share key elements that you can add to your movement program to make it healthier and more effective. And even more interesting! BONUS: You can apply these key elements to your horse's exercise, so your horse can benefit too. 💥Want...

Duration:00:29:46

Going to Your Limit Can Limit You

12/8/2022
You've probably have heard that if you want to improve, you have to push beyond your comfort zone. You're encouraged to go to your maximum, to develop more willpower. But is that approach REALLY serving you? In this episode, learn when it's more effective to stay WITHIN your range of ease and comfort. You'll learn why pushing to your limit can backfire. And why you'll probably improve faster if choose to move with ease, lightness and pleasure. You'll also hear how you can apply this...

Duration:00:09:19

Improve Your Movement by Changing How You Initiate It

12/1/2022
Did you know that you can improve your movement simply by changing the very beginning of a movement? You can develop better body awareness and improve your coordination simply by pausing and changing the very BEGINNING of a movement. This applies to any movement that you do, including riding, leading your horse, taking hold of your steering wheel, walking or any other movement you do. This is a fun exercise that has applications to your horse was well. In fact, I teach students in my...

Duration:00:11:53

How Limiting Beliefs Keep You Stuck

11/17/2022
Do you think that you lack the talent, opportunity or confidence to ride better? Do you think that your horse is too stiff, spooky or lazy to do the things you really want to do? If you answered yes to even one of those questions, you have have a limiting belief. And you're not alone. Virtually all of us have a BUNCH of limiting beliefs in different areas of our lives. And that's a shame. Because limiting beliefs prevent us from creating the life we really want. In this short episode,...

Duration:00:15:44

Gratitude From the Trenches

11/10/2022
In this episode, Mary shares inspiring thoughts from members of her Happy, Healthy Horsewomen community. You'll hear what they learned from their horses. And how their horses gently (and sometimes not so gently!) pointed out where and how they could improve. In listening to their horses, these women learned a lot about themselves. And not only did the improve their horsemanship, but their everyday lives improved as well. I hope you enjoy these lessons from the horses! 💖🐴 FREE...

Duration:00:19:42

What Type of Horse Person Are You?

11/3/2022
Do you want more flexible hips? Or do you wish you were more balanced, relaxed and confident in the saddle? In this episode you’ll learn something that's ESSENTIAL to helping you achieve those goals. And that's to identify the TYPE of horse person you are. I’m not talking about whether you’re a dressage rider, a jumper, a trail rider or a reiner. I’m talking about a more BASIC part of your identity. In this episode you’ll learn why identifying who you are, at your CORE, will align your...

Duration:00:35:13

These 3 Questions Help You Reach Your Goals

10/27/2022
Learn 3 questions that’ll transform your mindset and help you reach your equestrian goals. First, you’ll get clear on what you really want. Then you’ll learn how to harness the power of your brain to challenge your so-called limitations and start creating the reality where your dreams DO come true! FREE resources: 💥Unlock your horse's potential! Join our FREE 5-day challenge at https://www.marydebono.com/unlock. 💥 In this free 5-day challenge, Mary will be teaching simple, effective...

Duration:00:15:29

The Final 2 Keys to Unlock Your Horse’s Superpowers

10/20/2022
We’ve reached the FINAL 2 key things you can do to enhance your horse’s body and mind. I call this improvement Unlocking Your Horse’s Superpowers. You’ll hear why it's common for us to get stuck in routines that dull our senses and keep us trapped in unhealthy patterns. And how introducing novelty into your life can help you and your horse get free from those restrictions. We’ll talk about how non-habitual sensations and experiences can get the attention of your horse’s brain. And how this...

Duration:00:24:43

The 4th and 5th Keys to Unlock Your Horse’s Superpowers

10/13/2022
There are 7 key things to enhance your horse’s body and mind. I call this improvement Unlocking Your Horse’s Superpowers. This episode will explore the 4th and 5th keys. In this episode, you’ll learn how common it is to habitually tense your muscles more than necessary. And how this chronic sense of contraction and strain interfere with your freedom of movement and restricts your horse’s movement too. I’ll share a simple way to break out of this downward spiral and help you develop FEEL,...

Duration:00:23:32

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